Acute pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis

Based on the recent statistical report by the World Health Organization, there are 2,834 reported deaths in the United States alone, caused by acute pancreatitis. It is continually growing through the years and is posing a major health concern among people.

Acute pancreatitis is the medical term generally reserved for the acute inflammation of the pancreas. About 80% of hospital admissions for acute pancreatitis are attributed to alcoholism and biliary tract disease.

The remaining 20% are caused by hyperlipidemia, hereditary pancreatitis, infection, vascular disease, renal transplantation, or uncertain etiology. In alcoholic intakes of > 100 gm/day for several years, precipitation of pancreatic enzymic protein occurs. As time progress, deposition of protein plugs becomes pervasive thereby inducing additional histologic abnormalities. Patients suffering from acute pancreatitis usually complain of severe abdominal pain that radiates through the back. Pain develops abruptly and reaches maximal intensity within minutes. Patients would experience nausea and vomiting. Most of them appear acutely ill and sweaty. Blood pressure is unstable – would be high or low with significant postural hypotension. Pulse rate would range between 100-140 beats per minute. No laboratory test can accurately confirm a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. However, numerous tests are used to sustain the clinical impression. Tests like serum amylase and lipase are used as indicators. Results of these tests usually increase on the first day of acute pancreatitis and then return to normal for the next 3-7 days. Additional tests such as ultrasonography, CT and supine and upright plain films in the abdomen may detect abnormalities in the pancreatic ducts .